Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were both present to welcome Charles and Camilla.

Last month 13 members of one loyalist band were convicted of playing a sectarian tune while marching in a circle on Donegall Street outside the chapel in 2012. The bandsmen, who were accompanying parading Orangemen, were found guilty of playing the so-called Famine Song, which is played to the same tune as the Beach Boys Sloop John B, but with anti-Catholic lyrics.

That incident marked the first of what would become a series of flashpoints incidents at the church. Weeks later disorder broke out after another parading controversy.

In subsequent summers, restrictions have been placed on loyal order parades passing the church, with residents from nearby nationalist neighbourhoods staging protests against the loyal orders and loyalist bands.